Improvement in ditching-machines



drifted. ,States @at-wt chillin.

MAHLON C. HIGGINS ANI) GILBERT'B. HIGGINS, OE FLEMINGTON, NEW

JERSEY.

Leamraanflvo. 104,153,41611 June 14,1870.

IMPROVEMENT IN' DITCHINGMACHINES Y `The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making of the same.

Improvement in Ditching-Machiues; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and the letters of reference markedthereon.

`Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a ditching or trenching-machine, showing our improvement.

Figure 2 is an end view. The object of our device is to facilitate the operation of ditching and trenching by .means of horse or other A lparticular description of our invention appears as y follows: Y

A, in tig. 1, represents the driving or carriage-wheels, secured to axle b, at or nearthe center of which is a cog-wheel, C, providedv either vwith ratchet or. lever, and closely tting into another cog-wheel, D, so that, when the axle b revolves while the machine is being propelled forward, the cog-wheel O turns the'wheel D inthe opposite direction, causing the shovel-buckets vated, as required, in order to graduate the depth of the trench or ditch. This shaft fits closely and slides through grooves made in a circular 'form in guides at each end, represented by dotted lines a a in fig. 2.

G shows a` rear supporting-wheel o'n each side, provided with a swivel, in order that the machine can be turned at any angle without moving cog-wheel D, and, when it is required to move the machine backward, it can be done without difficulty.

The driving or main wheels A are ou the outer end of the axle, andare provided with a ratchet, as shown by h, so that, when the machine is moved backward, the cog-wheels will not turn, and the shovel-buckets ytherefore remain stationary.

The machine can be turned at any angle backward withoutmoving the cog-wheels; but, when propelled forward, either .in turning whollyor partly around, the shovel-buckets move proportionately.

. Under the forward part of the machine, and infront of the shovel-buckets, we' place a plow,` J composed of steel, and may or may not be braced and used in the same manner as an ordinary plow-colt'er, for the purpose of loosening the earth in the trenchor ditch, in order that there may be less strain upon the shovel# buckets.

This plow is raised or lowered by means of the hinged lever K, operated by the driver, and held in its position its by a small peg in standard L.

Near the lowerend of plow J there is a chain, which is attached to the forward part of the machine, in order to givel the plow additional strength and to further secure it inthe position required.

M is an apron or platform on the rear end, sloped on each side, so as` to throw ott' the earth deposited uponit by the shovel-buckets. This platform can be raised or lowered according to the desired depth of the trench. It can also be constructed so as to throw' all the dirt on one side, or partly on the one side and partly on the other.

This machine can be made entirely of ironexcept the plow, or of wood and iron combined.

Our device is less expensive in manufacture than any other now in use, in no way liable to get out of order, and easily operated by two persons.

Having thus fully described ourinvention,

Vhat we desire to secure by Letters Patent is A ditching-machine, composed of the threeratehetwheels h 71, h, fixed upon the shaft b, the internal gear ing D and C, bywh-ich the movement of the main wheels A is imparted to the arms containing the shovel-buckets c, the double lever E, regulating the height of the wheel D and buckets c, operating in guides a a; also, the lever K, graduating the depth of plow J, and rendered stationary by small pins in standard L, the guide or supporting-wheels G, and

platform M, when arranged as herein described.

MAHLON C. HIGGINS. GILBERT B. HIGGINS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE HANsoN, Jos, C. SMITH. 

